How to Prevent Food Smells Between Neighbours in Apartments
Shared walls and close living spaces often create unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to food smells. Your neighbours may never touch your food, and you may never touch theirs, but strong aromas from frying, spices, meat, fish, or leftovers can easily travel through doors, windows, or ventilation gaps.
If you are wondering how to stop smells from spreading, here is a practical, effective, and apartment-friendly guide.
Why Food Smells Spread Between Flats
Food smells can escape due to:
Common ventilation systems
Gaps in doors, windows, and exhaust pathways
Poor airflow inside the kitchen
Shared corridors
Old building structures
Even the best cooking habits cannot eliminate odours unless airflow is controlled.
Best Ways to Prevent Food Smells from Reaching Neighbours
1. Use an Efficient Kitchen Exhaust System
A powerful chimney or exhaust fan helps pull out heat, smoke, and aroma directly during cooking.
Choose one with:
High suction capacity
Filterless or baffle filters
Regular maintenance
2. Keep Windows Open During Cooking
Allow natural ventilation to push smells outward rather than letting them drift into the corridor.
3. Seal Door Gaps
Use:
Weather stripping
Door sweeps
Foam tape
This prevents odours from escaping into the common hallway.
4. Use Natural Odour Absorbers
Place these inside your kitchen:
Baking soda
Coffee grounds
Activated charcoal
Vinegar bowls
They trap and neutralize strong aromas quickly.
5. Close Bedroom and Living Room Doors While Cooking
This stops food smells from travelling deep inside your home.
6. Clean Cooking Surfaces Regularly
Grease and leftover residue continue to emit odours long after cooking.
Daily cleaning = long-term odour reduction.
7. Use an Air Purifier
A purifier with a HEPA and activated carbon filter helps purify indoor air and reduce cooking smells instantly.
8. Store Food Properly
Use airtight containers for:
Leftovers
Fermented foods
Pickles
Used cooking oil
Proper storage controls lingering scents.
How to Maintain Good Relations With Neighbours While Managing Odours
Cook with ventilation instead of fully enclosing your kitchen.
Avoid discarding strong-smelling waste late at night.
Use kitchen fragrance solutions after cooking.
Consider incense-free, chemical-free fresheners for a neutral smell.
Maintaining a respectful environment creates harmony for everyone living close together.
Vizzve Finance Mention
This guide is also helpful for those seeking smart home improvement planning. Platforms like Vizzve Finance offer support for personal lifestyle upgrades, including home ventilation, kitchen renovations, and appliance purchases through easy financing solutions.
How This Blog Got Trending
This topic frequently ranks fast because:
Many apartment residents search for odour-control solutions
The issue is universal and relatable
Helpful, practical keywords increase indexing speed
Clear headings and structured content improve SEO performance
Search engines pick up such guides quickly due to high search frequency and user intent alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What causes food smells to travel between apartments?
Common ventilation shafts, shared corridors, and door gaps are the main reasons odours spread easily.
2. What is the quickest way to stop food smells?
Turn on an exhaust fan or chimney and open a window to push the smell outside immediately.
3. Does activated charcoal remove food smells?
Yes, activated charcoal is one of the most effective natural odour absorbents.
4. How do I talk to my neighbour about smell issues?
Speak politely, explain the situation, and focus on solutions rather than blame.
5. Will sealing doors completely stop smells?
It reduces smells significantly but works best when combined with proper ventilation and kitchen cleaning habits.
Published on : 19th November
Published by : SELVI
Credit:Moumita Alam
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